Okay let me give you an example. Why did we play Senegal? was it not to measure our strengths tactically to prepare us for Cameroon. AFCON and World Cup are two different things. In fact I would rather have us not qualify for AFCON again and again, if that would mean going to the world cup every time. The dynamics in tackling big teams at the global stage is totally different. We also have to prepare for that challenge. Grade A friendlies is not a true test, but its far better than rating ourselves highly just because we beat Cameroon home and away (I hope we do).

Icon4s:


See my brother, no Grade A friendly can be as testing as playing Cameroun in Uyo and 4 days later playing them in Younde. Also playing Zambia in Uyo and going to face Algeria in Blida.

These 4 fixtures are tougher than so many WC games already. Friendlies are what they are: 'friendlies'. These these 4 WC qualifiers battles are what they are: 'Battles'.

I am not ruling out friendlies but what IMO opinion will toughen that defense more are those 4 WC qualifying battles including the games against SA.

Joebie:
Okay let me give you an example. Why did we play Senegal? was it not to measure our strengths tactically to prepare us for Cameroon. AFCON and World Cup are two different things. In fact I would rather have us not qualify for AFCON again and again, if that would mean going to the world cup every time. The dynamics in tackling big teams at the global stage is totally different. We also have to prepare for that challenge. Grade A friendlies is not a true test, but its far better than rating ourselves highly just because we beat Cameroon home and away (I hope we do).

Hahahaha! You have just help me with that valid point: We played a Grade 'A' friendly against Senegal to help us prepare against Cameroun.

You write mock exam to prepare you for the actual exam right? So which is the bigger test? The mock exam or the actual exam itself?

Guys what's with Gernot Rhor with light blue shirts? This is an NNL match between As Racine and Warri wolves in Agege

““No player in the NPFL is good enough for the Super Eagles at the moment”, Yusuf said, after he was asked why there were no [outfield] locally based player in the latest [current] national team selection”, he told Lagos Talks 91.3Fm.

Source: owngoalnigeria.com

tbaba1234:
““No player in the NPFL is good enough for the Super Eagles at the moment”, Yusuf said, after he was asked why there were no [outfield] locally based player in the latest [current] national team selection”, he told Lagos Talks 91.3Fm.

Source: owngoalnigeria.com

the man is just being sincere after all he was once an NPl team coach...(kano pillars and enyimba to be precise)

Icon4s:


The NFF. That is my point. I wont say much.

someone should please talk to those guys...especially this time the English FA is becoming jealous

komekn:


Unlike France and its Clairefontaine, England's FA does not have a dedicated elite football academy from which the claim can be made that they invested in them, (African players) with national quasi public funds etc.

Football clubs invest in thousands of players each year through the academy system which every club has with the intention of selling players for profit and or playing them in their own teams. At the end of the day they are all private businesses using private and individual funds not government funds. So we owe them NOTHING , think about the millions (not naira) they make on our boys so NOBODY should feel sorry for them.

Consider Ndidi lifted for peanuts from Nigeria within 2 years later sold for £15 million, so who is fooling who.

thanks Sir
good to know we share same thought on this issue...
the truth is...should they opt to start capping these lads unnecessarily just to keep them out of Nigeria reach.. they will end up frustrating some of these guys as many will only manage 1 or 2 caps all through their professional career like fashanu...with time these evil deeds will be visible to all and be a lesson for the upcoming ones to learn from...

I bet you one thing that makes the lads love play in Nigeria... is the sense of belonging they get here...the love and the no discrimination showed to them...iwobi himself said this

No you don't get me. By Grade A i'm not speaking about African oppositions. I'm thinking way ahead although it may be too early. Just because we beat a physical Cameroon home and away does not mean we can challenge Argentina (for example). Take note that Rohr have been thinking of big physical players in our set up to challenge Cameroon. I'm thinking match-ups. And as soon as we are done with the qualifiers the dynamics changes a great deal. I don't know what you guys are aiming for. Personally i want to see Nigeria in the final game in Russia. Then it is possible we can win the cup. I don't think it is a mere dream, which is why we have to go all the way in making sure we get our best players, and doing everything right. OTHER COUNTRIES ARE NOT SLEEPING. An awkward tackle from Balogun can send us out of the world cup easily. Let's see our players make some mistakes that can be corrected ahead of time. That's what friendlies are for. Personally, I rather have us lose all our friendlies against the best teams in the world so we can fix something we otherwise won't have seen.

Icon4s:


Hahahaha! You have just help me with that valid point: We played a Grade 'A' friendly against Senegal to help us prepare against Cameroun.

You write mock exam to prepare you for the actual exam right? So which is the bigger test? The mock exam or the actual exam itself?

coaches see different things.
Don't forget Manu Garba dropped Etebo. However Etebo was one of Siasia's best.
I believe no player in the NPFL is as polished as their foreign counterpart. But some of them are diamonds in the rough.

tbaba1234:
““No player in the NPFL is good enough for the Super Eagles at the moment”, Yusuf said, after he was asked why there were no [outfield] locally based player in the latest [current] national team selection”, he told Lagos Talks 91.3Fm.

Source: owngoalnigeria.com

I don't think England will just cap them. Don't forget England with their colonialist mindset know perfectly how to brainwash these kids into believing they have a great future with The Three Lions. We must take this news seriously

Humility017:

thanks Sir
good to know we share same thought on this issue...
the truth is...should they opt to start capping these lads unnecessarily just to keep them out of Nigeria reach.. they will end up frustrating some of these guys as many will only manage 1 or 2 caps all through their professional career like fashanu...with time these evil deeds will be visible to all and be a lesson for the upcoming ones to learn from...

I bet you one thing that makes the lads love play in Nigeria... is the sense of belonging they get here...the love and the no discrimination showed to them...iwobi himself said this

Joebie:
No you don't get me. By Grade A i'm not speaking about African oppositions. I'm thinking way ahead although it may be too early. Just because we beat a physical Cameroon home and away does not mean we can challenge Argentina (for example). Take note that Rohr have been thinking of big physical players in our set up to challenge Cameroon. I'm thinking match-ups. And as soon as we are done with the qualifiers the dynamics changes a great deal. I don't know what you guys are aiming for. Personally i want to see Nigeria in the final game in Russia. Then it is possible we can win the cup. I don't think it is a mere dream, which is why we have to go all the way in making sure we get our best players, and doing everything right. OTHER COUNTRIES ARE NOT SLEEPING. An awkward tackle from Balogun can send us out of the world cup easily. Let's see our players make some mistakes that can be corrected ahead of time. That's what friendlies are for. Personally, I rather have us lose all our friendlies against the best teams in the world so we can fix something we otherwise won't have seen.

Calm down. I can categorically tell you that by the time we are through with The WC qualifiers and we finish tops that defense would have gained some appreciable cohesion.

As i have maintained, playing Cameroun in Younde and Algeria in Blida or Algiers can be almost as challenging as playing France or Argentina in London.

We take it step after step. Lets qualify first and then we build from there.

tbaba1234:
““No player in the NPFL is good enough for the Super Eagles at the moment”, Yusuf said, after he was asked why there were no [outfield] locally based player in the latest [current] national team selection”, he told Lagos Talks 91.3Fm.

Source: owngoalnigeria.com

Is that not what some of us have been saying here since?

Truth and nothing but the truth.

Joebie:
coaches see different things.
Don't forget Manu Garba dropped Etebo. However Etebo was one of Siasia's best.
I believe no player in the NPFL is as polished as their foreign counterpart. But some of them are diamonds in the rough.

I agree, there are talents in the rough but they have to show it on a higher stage.Too many players fail to cut it when the standard is raised a little. Youth tournaments and CHAN are ideal for league players to show that they are up to it.

Salisu has worked closely with home talents. He took them to the Spanish invitational. He knows what he is saying.

Joebie:
No you don't get me. By Grade A i'm not speaking about African oppositions. I'm thinking way ahead although it may be too early. Just because we beat a physical Cameroon home and away does not mean we can challenge Argentina (for example). Take note that Rohr have been thinking of big physical players in our set up to challenge Cameroon. I'm thinking match-ups. And as soon as we are done with the qualifiers the dynamics changes a great deal. I don't know what you guys are aiming for. Personally i want to see Nigeria in the final game in Russia. Then it is possible we can win the cup. I don't think it is a mere dream, which is why we have to go all the way in making sure we get our best players, and doing everything right. OTHER COUNTRIES ARE NOT SLEEPING. An awkward tackle from Balogun can send us out of the world cup easily. Let's see our players make some mistakes that can be corrected ahead of time. That's what friendlies are for. Personally, I rather have us lose all our friendlies against the best teams in the world so we can fix something we otherwise won't have seen.

So u dnt consider a friendly with any African side as a grade 'A'?

Cohesion is not enough. I'm hopeful our defenders will ALSO get the needed experience individually overtime. Also always consider match-ups. Why do Cameroon almost always qualify for the World Cup, but still fail at the big stage? They don't get away with physical play at that stage. Also teams know how to draw errors from their style, tactically speaking.

Icon4s:


Calm down. I can categorically tell you that by the time we are through with The WC qualifiers and we finish tops that defense would have gained some appreciable cohesion.

As i have maintained, playing Cameroun in Younde and Algeria in Blida or Algiers can be almost as challenging as playing France or Argentina in London.

We take it step after step. Lets qualify first and then we build from there.

Joebie:
Cohesion is not enough. I'm hopeful our defenders will ALSO get the needed experience individually overtime.

What are u saying what am I saying?

Also always consider match-ups. Why do Cameroon almost always qualify for the World Cup, but still fail at the big stage? They don't get away with physical play at that stage. Also teams know how to draw errors from their style, tactically speaking.

Icon4s:


What are u saying what am I saying?

Grade A is relative. I won't consider a friendly with Cameroon grade A if we are about to head to the world cup.

Icon4s:


So u dnt consider a friendly with any African side as a grade 'A'?

Icon4s:


Calm down. I can categorically tell you that by the time we are through with The WC qualifiers and we finish tops that defense would have gained some appreciable cohesion.

As i have maintained, playing Cameroun in Younde and Algeria in Blida or Algiers can be almost as challenging as playing France or Argentina in London.

We take it step after step. Lets qualify first and then we build from there.

True talk.
On more than a few occasions in the past, facing African teams in competitive matches has been more challenging for Nigeria than friendly matches with top rated oppositions

Looks like Iheanacho is occupied with drills today. Not on the team again.

forgiveness:


Don't mind the guy. He thinks Nigeria is a dumping site for expired legs.

I don't know if what you said is true about having English blood in your veins but I tell you that Dele and Barkeley are there on merit.

Those boys are really good.

abeg rest...they got the chances and hype because they've have become 3 lions players...
there are so many good young lads who will never get the chance to shine..
for example you and I know... if iheanacho was an English kid he won't be on the bench in city nor be omitted from the match day squad
abeg may we talk something else

tbaba1234:
Looks like Iheanacho is occupied with drills today. Not on the team again.

seriously... he must be in training pitch all alone under going some drills now

Joebie:
I don't think England will just cap them. Don't forget England with their colonialist mindset know perfectly how to brainwash these kids into believing they have a great future with The Three Lions. We must take this news seriously

you're right...they see it as an honour to play for the 3 lions... abeg I just want NFF to get Tammy.. then we can leave the rest for them and see how they utilize them...
we can concentrate on getting other good players in Germany, and the akanji guy in Basel...the only challenge is...if not rohr NFF only see those in England...

Torunarigha starts on the LB position.

tbaba1234:
Looks like Iheanacho is occupied with drills today. Not on the team again.

Tbaba you be one badt guy.

Ifeanyi Mathew scored his first goal of the season but Lillestorm lost 2:1

Manuel Akanji scored again for Basel in their cup win

Balogun back to the Bench

Ebuehi starting

Another brace for Onuachu

Awoniyi starts for the first time in a while.. His team is down 2:0

tbaba1234:


Ambrose is currently playing in the Scottish Championship though. That is probably equivalent to league 1 or 2 in England.

Does he still have the legs for the EPL?

I absolutely have no idea.

However, if you are doing great things in your club other clubs notice and when they notice you get contracted to the biggest clubs.

But if you are a waste man in your club nobody wants you. On the other hand after having a dismal season it's unlikely you then become a Tiger when you get to the WC.

If our CB were doing great things they would not be in the teams they are. Consider when Ndidi had his first professional game and see where he is now and where he is going now, higher, higher.

tbaba1234:


Ambrose is currently playing in the Scottish Championship though. That is probably equivalent to league 1 or 2 in England.

Does he still have the legs for the EPL?

I absolutely have no idea.

However, if you are doing great things in your club other clubs notice and when they notice you get contracted to the biggest clubs.

If our CB were doing great things they would not be in the teams they are. Consider when Ndidi had his first professional game and see where he is now and where he is clearly going , higher, higher and higher

It's better to be the best player in a lower league what it means you are too good for that league. Efe was frozen out and to keep fit he linked up with a former manager. He has had 6 games for Hibernian and has won 3 MOTM awards that is a stupendous achievement.

The stats are saying he is exceptional, yes it's a lower league probably on par with league 1 in England maybe less. But the performances are exceptional.

Just like Chuks Aneke having a resurgence at MK Dons could easily be a robust midfield option for us.

Icon4s:


Olympic football has always been for the U23.

Good points though.

No,pls go to archive and u w discover that Seoul Olympic football game was not for U23 but purely national team affair.

The Under 23 started in Barcelona 92 and three over aged was introduced in Atlanta 96.

It was Los Angeles 84 that professional footballers were allowed to participate with special consideration given to Africa,Oceania,Asia to use full national team players while Europe and South America were banned from using players who had world cup experience but in Barcelona 92 IOC in conjunction with FIFA changed it to U23 and modified it by introduced three over aged players in Atlanta 96.

All this was done to protect d integrity of World Cup coz allowing Olympic football tourney to have full participation of national team players w have negative impact on d World Cup.

What BIG experience did Tiekeu and Ngadieu have prior to AFCON? Infact did OP know of them b4 AFCON? I bet without the aid of Google one can't tell their clubs... Belgium had not played at any competition in a while prior to being named darkhorses and subsequently making the QF at 2014 Mundial. Let's not get beat up with this experience of a thing. I don't mind throwing 4 exceptionally good defenders without int'l experience. As long as they have a top division club and play, that's what counts...

Icon4s:


I say again, that is no problem. Balogun and Troost are matured and experienced enough to suit into any tourney be it AFCON or WC. Omeruo i am sure u know his level of exposure.

Where are those Nigerian CBS outside this team that have those tournament experience?

I understand ur worry but that is what we have for now. After all the 1994 WC defense did nt have any WC experience.

Remember we are not Brazil, Germany, France or Spain.

What that defense needs now is cohesion. If there is any CB that u feel is better than what we have now bring forward his name.